News / Ocean freight rates – is the future in the futures market?

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By: Dan March, logistics specialist

Increasingly volatile rates on the world’s major ocean freight lanes is an ongoing concern for shippers and freight forwarders.

Multinational forwarders like DHL are carefully considering the use of indexing tools, in conjunction with customers and carriers, to smooth out rate volatility and provide a more stable environment.

Yet, a small but growing number of companies are creating and offering a more structured paper-based, index-linked facility, including options for full hedging of future volumes and rates.

Questions remain, however. ...